Chicago Cubs Recap: Bullpen steps up, helps snap team’s four-game skid

After struggling over the weekend, the Chicago Cubs’ bullpen held their own in an 9-7 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday at Wrigley.

After starting pitcher Brett Anderson struggled, the Chicago Cubs’ offense rallied and the bullpen held the Milwaukee Brewers’ bats at-bay in an 9-7 win Tuesday.

Chicago (7-7) clawed its way back from a 5-0 deficit thanks to a pair of two-run frames in the third and fourth innings. The deciding blows, though, came as part of a four-run sixth.

With starter Jimmy Nelson still on the hill, outfielder Albert Almora singled off the glove of third baseman Travis Shaw, scoring both Miguel Montero and Javier Baez. The Cubs catcher pushed things forward back in the fourth with a two-run shot – first first homer of the season.

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Almora came around to score on a Jon Jay RBI triple to right, tying the game 7-7. Then, fate finally seemed to fall in Chicago’s favor after a rough weekend, as a wild pitch allowed Jay to race home from third, giving the Cubs the lead for good.

Roles reversed

Anderson, coming off a pair of solid starts, was flat on Tuesday night. In just 3 2/3 innings, the Brewers roughed him up for six runs on eight hits. The lefty saw his earned run average jump from sub-1.00 to 4.40 on the year.

The Chicago relief corps, meanwhile, was lights-out. Taking over in the fourth, Brian Duensing, Justin Grimm, Carl Edwards Jr., Hector Rondon and Wade Davis paved the way to the win.

The group combined to allow just one run on two hits, striking out seven and walking one.

Bombs away

In the bottom of the third, Kyle Schwarber connected on his third home run of the year. Just one inning later, Montero drove his first of the year.

Outfielder Jason Heyward was along for the ride on that second long-ball. He continued his hot start to the spring, going 2-for-4, raising his average to .300 on the season.

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Up Next

Chicago concludes the three-game set on Wednesday against the Brewers. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. CT.

Kyle Hendricks squares off against Tommy Milone in the rubber match.